Psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11 (BIS‐11) in nonclinical subjects

TLDR

The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of an Italian translation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‑11 in 763 college undergraduates. The Italian BIS‑11 was administered to 763 undergraduates and validated using item‑total correlations, t‑tests across score quartiles, and exploratory principal‑components analysis. The scale showed good internal consistency (α = .79) and test‑retest reliability (.89), replicated the six first‑order and three second‑order factor structure of the original, and its total score correlated with aggression, ADHD, and differentiated binge eating, alcohol, and smoking levels. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., J Clin Psychol 57:815–828.

Abstract

Abstract To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11 (BIS‐11), the scale was administered to 763 college undergraduates. Based on analyses using item‐total correlations and t ‐tests for differences between the top and the bottom total score quartiles, all items from the English version of the BIS‐11 were retained in the Italian version. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was .79 and two‐month test–retest reliability was .89. An exploratory principal‐components analysis replicated the six first‐order factors and three oblique second‐order factors, consistent with the number identified in the English version. However, subfactor item loadings differed between the English and Italian versions. The overall item pool was consistent in being a homogeneous measure of impulsiveness. The BIS‐11 total score was correlated significantly with aggression and ADHD measures. The BIS‐11 also significantly differentiated between high and low levels of binge eating, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 815–828, 2001.